Originally produced as a 'standard' lens for film cameras, the EF 50mm f/1.8 II is the least expensive lens in Canon's lineup. Don't let the cheap plastic construction and unrefined autofocus put you off - optically it's very good indeed, and the fact that if gathers four times as much light as the average 'kit' zoom makes it ideal for low-light shooting. It's a great companion to Canon's entry-level SLRs for buyers on a budget, although those with more to spend should also look at the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM.

This is a lens which we'd encourage any Canon DSLR owner currently shooting with 'kit' zooms to try. The overall image quality when stopped down a bit is very impressive indeed, and the fast maximum aperture offers creative options which are well worth exploring. It's a pity about the build quality and harsh bokeh, but ultimately this lens hits a price:performance ratio that's very difficult to beat.

Good for: Inexpensive and sharp, this 50mm prime punches above its weight when it comes to image quality, and functions well as a standard 50mm on full-frame and a portrait-friendly 75mm (equivalent) on APS-C

Not so good for: Build quality isn't great (you get what you pay for). Autofocus is slow and unrefined, and bokeh can be somewhat harsh when images are examined critically.